Chapter 366: Using My Eye as the Keystone
"Tsk, what a hassle, having to walk such a long distance..."
Just as all the security forces on Itogami Island were gathering in a frenzy, Mahiro had already reached the lowest level of the Keystone Gate.
In the passage behind him lay nothing but unconscious guards.
Perhaps because he was in a good mood, Mahiro chose not to resolve things through physical "transcendence" this time.
However, as he gazed at the passage leading to the final layer of the Keystone Gate, his mood sank once more.
Since the Keystone Gate was an area he had never explored before, he couldn't simply use Spatial Transfer.
He had also assumed the journey wouldn't be too far, thinking it would be a straightforward vertical descent, like a spiral staircase.
But he hadn't expected it to take over half an hour.
And before him still stretched a long passage, awaiting his footsteps.
"Whatever, let's just go."
Mahiro waved his hand weakly and led the group into the passage.
Soon, they arrived at the very center of the lowest level of the Keystone Gate.
This place was completely different from the previous scenes. Although still entirely metallic, the lighting was noticeably dimmer than in the passage.
In the room were the four steel cable ends extending from the artificial islands.
The anchor block securing all the machinery heads was a miniature inverted pyramid-shaped metal base.
At the center of the anchor block stood a pillar, driven firmly into it like a stake.
Its diameter was less than a meter.
Yet, to this day, it still bore the millions of tons of load connecting Itogami Island.
A translucent stone pillar with a texture resembling obsidian—the Keystone.
Within that translucent stone, someone's "arm" was visible.
A withered, mummy-like, emaciated arm.
On its wrist remained cruel scars, as if from crucifixion.
The remains of a martyr who suffered and died for their faith.
...It was actually real."
Even Yukina couldn't help but stare in astonishment upon witnessing it firsthand.
That arm was a medium through which divine holiness manifested in the mortal world, making it an object of faith. It was said that this body, possessing immense holiness, would never decay and could trigger various miracles.
The reason Itogami Island had endured to this day, remaining unscathed even when exposed to Progenitor-level Magical Power, able to withstand the immense force of the Dragon Vein and channel it into stability, was precisely because it had been supported by the "miracles" invoked by this Holy Relic.
But even more agitated was this Exorcist from the Western Church of Latanlancia.
"....."
Eustach let out a sound that mingled both surprise and awe.
Trembling violently, he knelt on the spot, tears streaming from his eyes as he gazed up at the stone pillar.
His sorrow and joy later transformed into unrestrained, maniacal laughter.
"The immortal holy body stolen from the Latanlancia Cathedral...….The day we believers have long awaited, the day it returns to its rightful place, has come! Astarte! No one can stop us now. Go and pull out that detestable wedge, and bring judgment upon this decadent, cursed island!"
While laughing hysterically, Eustach gave the order to the Artificial Lifeform serving as his attendant.
But Astarte did not move.
To be precise, it wasn't that Astarte refused the command, but rather that she was immobilized by Mahiro's single hand pressing down on her shoulder.
Rudolf naturally noticed Mahiro's action and asked somewhat displeasedly:
"Mr. Yotsuba Mahiro, what are you doing?"
"Nothing much. I just wanted to remind you that the terms of our original deal were for me to help you retrieve the Saint's remains. That didn't include destroying Itogami Island."
He was joking.
Itogami Island was what Natsuki Minamiya cherished most.
Although this artificial island hid many secrets, since Natsuki Minamiya loved it, he wouldn't mind helping to protect it.
However, upon hearing his response, Rudolf's expression immediately darkened.
He gripped his massive battle axe, stood up, and asked in confusion:
"If we don't pull out this detestable wedge, how else can we retrieve the immortal holy body we worship?"
Not only Rudolf, but even Yukina felt curious.
Although from the moment she stepped into Keystone Gate, she had already prepared for the mission to fail—even planning to turn against Mahiro if he tried to seize the keystone—hearing now that he had another method to retrieve the so-called Saint's arm inevitably stirred some hesitation in her heart.
Perhaps he really had a way?
Yet, Mahiro only smiled and did not answer.
Then, he walked alone to the spot directly beneath the keystone, which was bound by layers of chains.
"It should be possible, right? In terms of mystery and miracles, mine shouldn't be low either..."
Gazing at the section of an arm imprisoned like a captive dragon within, Mahiro muttered softly to himself, his eyes gradually tinged with a layer of crimson.
Copy Eyes activated!
Spatial Transfer!
The moment azure magic circles appeared in his eyes, the Saint's Right Arm within the keystone suddenly vanished.
It appeared in his hand.
And in less than a tenth of a second, a single eyeball suddenly materialized within the slightly trembling keystone.
The eyeball was suffused with a crimson hue, echoing the azure magic circles.
The previously quivering keystone instantly stabilized.
"It worked. As expected, it's possible."
Mahiro let out a heavy sigh of relief.
Turning around, he tossed the mummified arm in his hand to Rudolf.
"Here, the Saint's remains you wanted."
"Yotsuba-senpai, you... your eyes..."
Yukina covered her mouth, looking too shocked to speak.
Even Rudolf, as he received the arm and reverently cradled it in both hands, stared at him with an equally astonished expression.
No wonder.
Because they saw that Mahiro's right eye, which had been open, was now tightly shut, and a trail of bloody tears slowly trickled from the corner of his eye, leaving a crimson streak down his cheek.
At this point, even a fool could tell.
Mahiro had used his own Copy Eyes to replace the Saint's Right Arm as the keystone of Itogami Island!
So he was this gentle too?
For the sake of the residents of Itogami Island, he sacrificed his own eye...
At this moment, Yukina felt as if she was seeing this man in a whole new light.
While Rudolf's thoughts were completely different from Yukina's, he was astonished that Mahiro's eyes could actually bring about a miracle powerful enough to stabilize Itogami Island and suppress the undersea Dragon Vein!
Mahiro also noticed the gazes of the two. He reached up and touched his empty right eye socket beneath the eyelid, smiling slightly.
"Oh, this? It's not a big deal, I'm fine."
Himeragi Yukina: "_"
The girl didn't speak, just pursed her lips and stared straight at him, her eyes seeming to contain a thousand unspoken questions.
Even now, she couldn't understand why this senior, who was clearly a perverted lecher, would take such an action.
Women are emotional creatures, and even a young girl is no exception.
At this moment, Yukina's heart truly wavered for an instant.
Seeing Yukina still so worried, Mahiro didn't offer any further explanation, because at times like this, no matter what he said, it would only be seen as putting on a brave front.
So Mahiro didn't waste any more words and directly used the magic "Regeneration."
[Warning! Fatal damage detected in the body.]
[Self-repair protocol, automatically activated.]
[Reading core individual information data from backup system.]
[Loading magic formula—complete. Self-repair—complete.]
In that brief moment, less than a second.
Mahiro's body had already fully recovered. When he opened his right eye again, the eyeball was perfectly intact within its socket.
He gazed at the eyeball still floating inside the cornerstone, as if staring back at him, and couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder.
Now, he was increasingly certain that his eyes were most likely the Copy Eye from Densetsu no Yūsha.
The power dwelling within the brain, and the curse dwelling within the eyes.
Even without the curses of the mark and the w mark, the Copy Eye was still a very precious and highly mysterious eye.
He just didn't know why this thing had appeared on him, and moreover, in the world of Mahouka, and why his mind could remain so stable when using the Copy Eyes.
Even when it went berserk, it was only that one time in the past when C.C. used the CODE to make contact with him.
"Senior, your eye... has it recovered?"
Yukina walked over, surprised to find Mahiro's eyes restored and healthy.
"Yeah, surprised and disappointed, right? That a big lecher like me didn't end up blind or something."
Yukina didn't speak, just pursed her lips and shot him a resentful glare.
Then she muttered quietly—
"Honestly, Senior, you really are dangerous. You've caused such a big mess this time, what should we do?"
Once again, she didn't know how to report this to her superiors.
This report was impossible to write!
Although the Holy Relic replacement was quick, there was still a gap.
And it had a significant impact on Itogami Island.
Not long ago, the island experienced an earthquake of nearly magnitude seven.
Mahiro smiled and said nothing.
As long as Itogami Island didn't collapse, what happened on the island was none of his damn business.
At that moment, Rudolf, who had already wrapped the saint's arm in his robe and stored it inside his chest, stepped forward and said:
"Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Yotsuba Mahiro."
Mahiro smiled and waved his hand.
"No need to be polite. We each got what we needed."
Most importantly, although he himself wasn't particularly fond of religious institutions, in a world overrun by monsters and demons, he couldn't help but feel some goodwill toward the Church.
Moreover, this Exorcist had done nothing wrong and didn't deserve to die here.
After all, the Church and vampires were natural enemies—a curse from God upon Cain.
"Oh, by the way, if you have nothing else to do in the future, don't set foot on this island again. Itogami Island is the vortex of all conflicts. Who knows, there might even be clashes between Progenitors someday. Occasional destruction will become commonplace, so after you return, do something meaningful instead."
Mahiro offered this well-intentioned reminder, though his words sounded rather harsh and somewhat condescending.
Rudolf said nothing, merely bowing deeply to express his gratitude before leaving the Keystone Gate alone.
Left behind, Astarte stared at him wide-eyed.
Neither spoke a word.
Astarte was waiting for orders from her new master, but Mahiro seemed to be waiting for something else.
Just then, a cold voice drifted through the air.
"Just a short while apart, and you've already caused such trouble again!"
There was no need to guess—only Natsuki Minamiya could appear so suddenly and speak in such a tone.
But Natsuki Minamiya's appearance startled Yukina.
"Who's there?!"
She turned around with Astarte, Snowdrift Wolf gripped tightly in her hand, aimed toward the source of the voice.
Standing on a steel cable behind them was a woman—a petite figure so small she could easily be mistaken for a young girl.
She wore an extravagant dark-toned dress, yet despite being deep underwater where sunlight never reached, she held a parasol.
Her face was innocent, delicate, and perfectly proportioned, resembling an exquisite doll.
For some reason, however, her eyes held a hint of contempt as she stood there, looking down at them.
"Witch of the Void... Natsuki Minamiya."
"Oh? You know me, little girl from the Lion King Organization. But you should address me as 'teacher'!"
Thwack!
Yukina suddenly felt a sharp pain on her head, making her instinctively duck.
When she opened her eyes again, Natsuki Minamiya had vanished, reappearing beside Mahiro.
It was Spatial Teleportation Magic.
"What brings you all the way here? Planning to throw me in prison?" Mahiro teased the petite, parasol-carrying girl beside him.
"Hmph, prison can't hold you. I have no interest in that."
Natsuki Minamiya shot him a glare before shifting her gaze to the keystone stabilizing Itogami Island—more precisely, to the eyeball floating within it.
"You really are a fool, aren't you? Going to such extremes just to retrieve the Right Arm of the Saint, even sacrificing one of your own eyes. Was it worth it?"
She spoke as if sighing with emotion.
Whose eye it was, she naturally knew very well.
The pattern engraved on it belonged to only one person in all of Itogami Island—or perhaps the entire world: Mahiro.
But Mahiro simply shrugged and said:
"What's worth or not worth it? Itogami Island is your home, Natsuki-chan, and it's something you want to protect. Besides, I'm only giving up an eye that can recover at any time—consider it rent for living here."
Hearing his nonchalant words, Natsuki Minamiya twirled her parasol and let out a soft hum.
Then, looking again at the four steel cables extending from the cornerstone, she whispered:
"I've found out."
"Huh?" Mahiro looked at Natsuki-chan with confusion.
"About the origins of Itogami Island... I've found out. Though I don't want to admit it, it's almost... exactly as you said."
As she spoke these words, Natsuki Minamiya seemed to have exhausted all her strength.
Her heart was mired in endless struggle and anguish.
She had indeed been deceived.
Spiritual Lines—also known as Dragon Veins—were used to create an artificial floating island on the ocean currents they passed through, and a new city was built upon it.
This was a groundbreaking idea at the time.
Everyone believed that the Spiritual Power flowing from the Dragon Veins would bring vitality to the residents and guide the city toward prosperity, but the construction faced insurmountable difficulties.
Because the power of the Dragon Veins, exposed as they flowed through the ocean, far exceeded people's expectations.
But the city's designer at the time, Itogami Senra, handled it brilliantly.
East, west, south, north—the artificial island was divided into four sections. He originally intended to liken them to the Four Gods in Feng Shui, using the organic connections between the island sections to control the Dragon Veins, and then using a Holy Relic as the leader of the Four Gods, the Yellow Dragon, to suppress and stabilize them.
As it turned out, Itogami Senra succeeded.
Not only did he successfully seize the saint's remains enshrined in the cathedral, but he also used them as a cornerstone to stabilize the four islands.
This made Itogami Island an irreplicable miracle.
But the above was only the publicly announced version, or what the general public knew.
In reality, Itogami Island had secrets, and it was far more than just an artificial island.
This place was a seal, an altar—an altar that should never have existed, Cain's altar.
It was said that deep within Itogami Island, the Coffin of the Sinful God was buried!
As for Cain, Natsuki Minamiya didn't know much, or rather, written records about Cain were scarce.
The only known facts were that Cain was originally human, the progenitor of the demon race, cursed and exiled from the earth.
The legendary three Progenitors were all ambiguously connected to Cain.
Moreover, Cain was the instigator of The Cleansing, corrupting the once-divine race into demons and slaughtering the ancient humans on earth, the Deva.
In the end, he was killed by the Fourth Primogenitor, created jointly by the three Progenitors and the Deva.
And Itogami Island served as an altar to resurrect Cain, ready to sacrifice the lives on the island to bring him back to life when the time was ripe.
After learning all this, Natsuki Minamiya felt a moment of confusion and doubt.
She didn't know what she was protecting anymore, or whether she should continue to protect it.
Until Mahiro took her small hand and whispered in her ear:
"Do what you feel is right. Follow your heart. No matter what you do, Natsuki-chan, Aya and I will stand behind you as your strongest support."
"Thank you."
Natsuki Minamiya, unusually without any tsundere behavior, very honestly whispered her thanks to him.
This left Mahiro quite astonished.
At the same time.
Yukina, who had originally walked over intending to strike up a conversation, accidentally overheard the entire exchange between the two and immediately halted her steps.
At that moment, she felt somewhat awkward.
Were these things really meant for her to hear?